Shainne Hostalero

Valentine's Day is not for everyone. It is true. As the day gets closer and closer, we often think about what's going to happen (if you are taken and in a happy relationship) or how you will skip it and fast-forward to the next (if you are single or in certain situation, whatever that is). Valentine's day is not only for those who are happily in-love or for group dates with your group of friends to celebrate life as single individuals; the day is also a test on how much stronger you are by means of what you can endure if you feel otherwise  (hahaha!!) or if you are going through something more important than flowers and chocolates. It is also a test to your patience on how much longer could you still wait for that marriage proposal you've been longing for, flowers and/or chocolates that were promised to you (or you expect - ayan kasi ); or a test on how you will keep your composure as a mother by which Valentine's day have long gone from you and your partner'...

I have been in this phase for the longest time. It's not new to me and probably, it will not be a question for me how I will do it. Yet, after all, I felt like I'm being renewed in life. And yes, no one's counting how many takes you've done and surpassed to make a beautiful film; that well in fact, your bloopers are what makes it more fun and exciting. My journey in life was never easy and it will never be, I know that for sure. But there is something definite about it: I will get tougher, stronger and wiser. That goes without saying (even though I cry myself hard sitting on the toilet and making  life's decisions in the shower.) My career had taken the flight out; high up the ground. I achieved more than what I even expect from myself. I was a manager at 23, a department head at 24; indeed an achiever at a young age than the ideal manager/department head time. While some are just finishing their undergraduate studies, me on the other hand is already spearheading ...

By Emma Seppala, PhD The Happiness Track Photo from Web Most people, when asked what do they want in life would answer:  success, love, money, and happiness . Not all successes in life can coincide to happiness; yet, doing everything th at makes us happy - no matter how small - can bring success. In the book The Happiness Track by Emma Seppala, PhD, she discussed great things that will help us go around our happiness and success - absorbing the moment, reducing our stress, and teaching us how to live a life (or getting a 'life' in case we don't have one). We focus too much on the future, but we can train ourselves to remain in the present moment. Focusing on the future reduces your attention in the present moment, making you more likely to miss significant things that are happening now.  Have you ever tied yourself to work thinking about all the things you planned and the person you want to be five years from now? I have. I was quite a workaholic - having...

January 2017 is almost over. How time flies, right? We've been waiting for Christmas to arrive then the New Year and eventually here we are taking it all in. Like we have a choice. I don't have a resolution this year, or I said I have? I'm just planning to be more organized (I'm organized with my time and tasks by keeping a journal), I'm working on it - like clutter-free human. In terms of being organized, I guess it should start with my life in general and everything else will follow.  I started last week... I started from the easiest ones - social media accounts. On Facebook, I unfriended all those people whom I don't know personally; just have 1 or 2 common friends, some have mutual friends with me yet I haven't met or talk to personally. I'm not against of having a huge network, I'm a marketer and I need it and it is my job but on the other hand, I want all the things I post or react to on social media be shared to people who are close to...

One year ago nasa Baguio ako, at nung taon bago pa. Madaming tao pero malamig pa din. Naglalakad, tipong kahit saan makarating. Ngayon, nasa bahay lang ako. Nanonood ng mga balita - yung iba hindi makauwi ng Baguio at ng ibang probinsya dahil sa rally ng mga drayber at kundoktor. Sana makauwi na sila. Quota ako sa pagpunta sa Baguio ngayong taon dahil sa dating trabaho. Parang yung lugar slows you down. Parang nirerelax ka kahit alam mo sa sarili mo na hindi ka relaxed at stressed na stressed ka talaga. Madaming memories ang nandun sa Baguio - memories na hindi romantic; memories ng moving on at letting go at mga sobrang ginaw moments. Naalala ko, mga three years ago siguro, nasa Baguio din kami ni Emily; namomroblema siya sa pag-ibig; ako din yata, namomroblema ako kasi ayoko ng pag-ibig. Pareho kami ng problema pero magkaiba. Weird. Pero ganun talaga. Last year nasa Baguio din kami. Maginaw. Madaming tao. Pero iba yon; kasi wala kaming problema ni Emily. Wala kaming ginawa ku...

2016, where do I begin? Almost everyone has claimed 2017 to be theirs already. Hmm. Does it work on a first-dibs-basis? If it does then I'm out. Nevertheless, I'm planning 2017 to be more fun and fruitful; I'm choosing it to be like that and somehow, I can't wait. 2016 wasn't perfect... at all. Up until now I'm still being tested and I'm still pushing through the hardness and harshness of this year; though there have been a lot of unexpected great things occurred along the journey, I couldn't be any happier; if I may just say. I had to make tough choices in life - career move, residence, unusual places to explore and a lot of different people to interact with. Some might not be my choice but okay. A lot has changed from the past year. Some might not be that wonderful to think of; some are good and taught me a lot of good things. Each of it serve its purpose. I had to be stronger, I guess; and somehow I managed to be one eventually. 2016 might not...

Last month of 2016! I'm completing my research proposal for my course in grad school. Konti nalang! I still have a few courses to conquer, pero konti nalang. Gusto ko grumadweyt na hindi. Gusto ko kasi magastos hehe saka gusto ko na magturo; ayaw ko kasi beyond the gastos, it makes me to retain sharp or make me sharper (?) either. There's something about studying that vacates your negative mind even though the universe says otherwise - do not be so positive so you won't expect. So?! E ano? As I'm down to finishing my last requirement for the semester, I'm feeling nostalgic. I maybe not the same person when I first entered grad school. I feel broad. I feel that I accumulated more in life but not monetary. Education is a good investment, sabi nga nila. I do believe it now. It made me understand words more, made me stand up stronger for what I know because I know it's the right thing. It's different all throughout, it tighten me up and braced me to reach ...